The association between affirming language, self-compassion, stigma, and recovery capital for those affiliated with collegiate recovery programs.

Abstract

Objective: This study seeks to determine if comfort with affirming language is related to stigma, self-compassion and recovery capitol for those associated with collegiate recovery programs and if this differed by respondent demographics. Participants and Methods: An anonymous online survey was disseminated to individuals participating in collegiate recovery programs to determine their level of comfort with the use of non-affirming language and its association with recovery capital, self-compassion, and stigma. Results: Comfort with the use of non-affirming language was not significantly correlated to other study measures. However, between group comparisons indicate significant differences in responses to key study measures based on age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and if they incorporated 12 step approaches into their recovery process. Conclusions: This work provides those affiliated with collegiate recovery programs information on language preferences, stigma, recovery capitol and self-compassion to better support students in recovery.